Habakkuk week 5: The glorious hope

How can we flourish in the fog?

Day I was out in -9, approaching bottom - meeting walker in shorts. Loving it.

Started this journey with Habakkuk - week 1.

Met him in anguish asking “how long?” - heard call to trust

Met him in outrage - heard of our need for mercy

Met him in his vision - saw the grave reality of judgement, and reassurance of justice.

BUT IT’s NOT ENOUGH IS IT? More than simply justice. want experience a real vibrant faith. Saw traits in week 1. But how can we get there.

JOURNEY OF HABAKKUK - complaint - humility - silence - prayer and worship

My prayer - we’ll finish journey with him - that will we be where he is at end of book.

Back to mountain. Freezing. Or shouting. or stuck. Musn’t stay there. seen need to see God’s sovereign power and goodness, and keep trusting him - keep moving. But don’t want to stay there either - Christian life isn’t to be just a constant plod. Jesus says we are to have life and life to the full. Like guy I met going back up the mountain!

Let’s take final part of journey with Habakkuk. Because notice the change. Chapter 1 - dark, tense, anguish, despair, doubt. Chapter 2 - wrestles, struggles to make sense. but then he breathes. silence - as he waits to hear from God. And in the waiting God is doing the most work.

Tone chap 3 - completely different. all about God. all about hope. certainty, and finishes with worship: Note SELAH. Note end. - kept and used as liturgy and song.

Yet situation is completely the same.

What’s happened to Habakkuk?! And how can we get there!

3 words capture experience/shift/transformation

ENCOUNTER

Meeting a famous person, or someone we like. change. act a little different. outlook on life a little different.

In gospel read time and time again of encounters. Encounters that changed everything for a person.

Encounter God is about entering into this relationship through real, authentic experiences and recognizing his presence in our lives and in others. - in such a way it changes us.

This is guy who knows who God is. Israelite. Prophet! Noted plea has been one to a God he knows and loves and ties his life to.

SLOW: YET Breath of chap2 and by time we come to chap 3 - something has happened to him. He encounters God in fresh way in the silence. in the valley. in the fog.

Encounter transforms whole posture.

ILLUSTRATE: GOING TO PHYSIO WITH BACK PAIN> POSTURE - bad posture was causing mean pain. Coorrect posture allowed enjoy movement again. we get stuck in bad posture before God.

Something happens to him: Starts in open ended prayer. Change from chapter 1 - how long. Impatient cry of a man who’d all but given up. to chapter 3:1-2:

Habakkuk 3:1–2 NIV

A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth. Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.

Lit In the midst of the year.

Broader - not specific deal with this. But do you thing.

Sense is of him responding to chap 2v3

Habakkuk 2:3 NIV

For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

Between now and then - bring revival.It might not be what I expect, or what I think I want - but do your work int he years - because I trust you.

See difference in his tone. in his outlook. Why?

ILLUSTRATE: TRACK RECORD?

He has encounter God - following verses as he dwells on God’s perfect track record:

As he dwells in silence. In prayer. What does he do - recounts the power and faithfulness of His God, as story of history shows him working his purposes out.

FOLLOW IT IN YOUR BIBLE.

Goes back to the start. v3

Teman & Mount Paran - border of Sinai - Where God revealed himself to Moses - as part of plan to rescue his people from salvery in Egypt. Deut describes him coming like the Sun - rising in the East to shine - showing his splendor. Shining in darkness.

Deuteronomy 33:2 NIV

He said: “The Lord came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir; he shone forth from Mount Paran. He came with myriads of holy ones from the south, from his mountain slopes.

v4 - continues

Habakkuk 3:4 NIV

His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden.

possible reference to way God led through Exodus by pillar of cloud and fire - presence with them, yet veiled. His leading and protection.

v5 proably reference to both the inflication on Egypt, but then the plagues upon Israel for their disobedience that followed.

v6 Customary for conquerer, when taking new land to measure it out, and divide it amoung his people. Language - God rules and measures out whole earth.

Shakes the nations

Even mountains - considered most ancient and unchanging part of world,- faced with his matchless infinite presents and eternal power - scattered. Sink low.

Like going on walk with someone who is unbelieveably fit. Charge off effortlessly. God marches effortless through earth, defeating enemies, giving his people land.

v7 Hab looks back to first threats to promised land - Cush, whom God defeated through Othniel and Midina - who God defeated through weakest man of weakest tribe - Gideon.

v8-9 Habakkuk reflects on God’s utter control over nature - parting the waters in the Exodus, and again the at the Jordan. - Reflecitng on his wrath towards his enemies -his anger, his indignation - Like a mighty warrior who rides out in leading his people in victory with unstoppable force.

v10—11 Reflects on how he stops the sun in the sky at his will - thinking back to how God stopped sun in the sky for Joshua, while raining hailstones on feeling enemy - that Israel might complete their victory against enemies.

v13-14 crux.

Habakkuk 3:13–14 NIV

You came out to deliver your people, to save your anointed one. You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness, you stripped him from head to foot. With his own spear you pierced his head when his warriors stormed out to scatter us, gloating as though about to devour the wretched who were in hiding.

one commentator points out that at start of book Habakkuk seems like James Joyces character Stephen in Ulyses who declares

“History is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake”.

Thats tone. But here - as Habakkuk reflects on God’s track record. On his power. On his faithfulness - it dawns on him. History is story in which God has always worked for the good of his people - defeating his enemies and achieving their rescue - both physcially and Spiritually, temporarily and eternally.

Direction - As he reflect on history. Reflects on Power. Reflects on calling, reflects on rescue, reflects on total victory, - even using enemies weapons against him. Reflect on discpline. Times of plague. Times when people needed to be rescued because of their own sin. From creation of world, through calling, rescuing, presevering, discipling, - through covenant. through promises, through miracles, through victories, all story of a God who created a people for himself - and is completely committed to their salvation!

Romans 8:28–29 (NIV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

I just wonder - in the fog. In the struggle. Have we lost sight of that. I wonder if reason we are just struggling on, only surviving - is because we’ve lost sight of goodness of God. Stuck in Habakkuk 1.

Do you need to have fresh encounter with Yahweh. Your Glorious creator, All sufficient Saviour and Good good Father.

Maybe he’s doing something in this fog. Fog of war - battle not against flesh and blood but

Maybe he’s doing something to grow you into the image of Christ. Desire is your faith - utter dependence on him, and pwoer of Spirit will flourish.

Ice sculpture - knocks the ice of with sharpe chisel

Or house renovation

Maybe we need to reconnect. Ecnoutner Jesus. The one who was there at the beginning of time. WHo was there when land was formed. Was there when God chose people for himself - appearing to Abraham, to Moses, to Jacob, to Joshua is times of need. Veiled and yet glorious. Reconnect with Jesus in gospel

Encounter him.

PAUSE

SLOW:

Encounter As God of v4 The King who gave up his splendor - to come to us - his glory veiled. - Ray of light in the darkness.

Encounter God of v3 One who had the authority of a King. The one who spoke life into being speaks life to those around him.

God of v6 he who measured earth amrches unstoppable on a mission to resuce his people.

God of v8 -10 Even wind, waves water, obey him. He walks on it.

King who marches to the cross. Who faced the arrows of the enemy. who is pierced for our transgression.

But there uses his enemies own weapon against him. As there he does battle with Satan, faces our shame, our sin, and Satan’s accusation. And there disarms Satan and makes sure his downfall.

Dies and the Sun stops moving. Darkness covers earth.

But then just like the glorious sun rising from east so Jesus at dawn on third day rises - his light shines unstoppable.

And he fulfils the ancient prophecy of Gensis 3 and mentioned in 13. Serpent crusher rises and takes up his glory.

Encounter him who made and end to all your sin

Encounter him who offers you new life

Ecnounter him who who has done all that is necessary for your salvation

Encounter him - because who else has the words of eternal life

Encounter him who even in the rubbish. in the fog - is working for your eternal good. to give you life and life to the full.

What stops us encountering Jesus. Fog - busy ourselves to distraction. Find a fix. Afraid to face the pain. Afraid to go through the process of lamenting

Or we get stuck in lamenting. Self pity.

Or get stuck on the plod - led to believe Christian life is just seeing it out to better days.

Habakkuk cries no.

Encounter God in the fog. Dwell with him in silence. Let your thoughts meditate on him. Let his word dwell in your richly. Open it. Read it. Sit under it. Don’t rush.

Listen to pod casts, devotionals.

Go for a walk and pray through your thoughts and struggles asking God to speak fresh.

Dwell on your salvation.

Ecnounter him.

What happens as we encounter him?

TREMBLE

Habakkuk was tembling at thought of Babylonians. Posisbly trembling in rage. But here he’s trembling as result of his encounter with God.

v16 - body - “inner recess” lit. belly - inner recess where deepest desires lie.

Illustrate quick: Butterflys in the stomach?

But more: shaken.

lips quiver

rotteness enters my bones - (Isaiah fearful under holiness of God), and rotteness at through of Babylons demise.

illustrae idea of trembling. Adrenaline after thrill experience? Danger and safety together. encounter God, Spirit convcits us and comforts us.

Something happens when we encounter Jesus. As we see Holiness of God, and our own sinfulness -and his sacrifice it changes us. Spirit enters in and dwells. And from time to time he ignites a fire. And we feel it. When open scripture. Or when we worship. Or have time in prayer. Or God gives us new perspective.

WORSHIP

Last few verses are astounding.

Habakkuk 3:17–19 NIV

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

v17 describes total devastation that is coming. Habakkuk has not be rescued from his circumstances. He knows whats coming.

No oil, no grain, no wine no meat, no wool Total economic disaster. Total sociatal disaster

Illustrate: BBC report Gaza 'soon without fuel, medicine and food' - Israel authorities War ravages a nation.

Habakkuk situation coming physcially, and may reflect how he feels about state of nation Spiritually.

Fog of war.

And yet he says;

Habakkuk 3:18 NIV

yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

So much like a Psalm. Not forced.

two sides to this idea of worship.

First this is Habakkuks response to his encounter. He worships because he knows that whatever his circumstances - his salvation is secure. Saved from reprocussions of sin. WHatever happesn, he belongs to God and God to him. Father and child.

So he sings, and he takes joy.

This is true joy - deep. It’s a joy that lasts because it’s not in ever changing and fickle circumstance or earthly things. It’s a joy in God. God is His hope. HIs life. His all.

God is his strength to face the day.

There is another side to this. Cognative decision.

Yet I will

I will

There is somethign special about worship.

More than jusrt a response. We are more than just minds. We are Spiritual and physcil and have bodies. And worship does something.

It’s not just response to truth but it is also the thing that helps us to believe the truth.

When we worship we are telling each other and our whole body who Jesus is!

Music moves our hearts to embrace the truths that we sing.

Worship is an act of submission and dependence. And as we depend on him by Spirit strengthens us

Habakkuk 3:19 NIV

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

v18-19 like deer. able to climb to high places

high polaces - reference to OT high places - places of pagan worship. One of first things God’s peopel were to do was tear them down, in order they weren’t led into sin - so often failed.

Illustrate: Imagine being high up mountain - in fog and cold. Lost. panic sets in . high altiture. struggling to breath. Brain stops functioning. Great danger.

But then - given oxygen mask. Breath.

Worship is the oxygen mask. We breath in the air of the gospel - of Jesus and life that he gives.

Breath

Breath

Some of us this morning. Thing we feel least like doing is thing we need to do most.

illustrate - training - felt like passing out, body was shaking. Told - put your hand in the air - felt like too much. but as I did - air filled lungs a little easier. and breath by breath, energy came back. heart rate slowed. dizziness passed.

Worship God

Rejoice in him.

Encounter him

One day the viel wll be gone. Jesus will come as if from the East in blazing light. Finally Satan will be finished and death gone. He will crush his enemies and take his people to be with him. We will encounter him forever intimately, trembling before him in extacy - as we worship before his throne forever.. Life - breathe it in.

Dwell in the word and let it dwell in you richly

Be transfomred by renewing of the mind

Deovtions

podcasts

prayer - be moved from lament to life

back to 2:14 “knowledge” to know carries intimacy. (Like Adam knew eve in sexual oneness) intimate, personal, exclusive - interaction in detail and depth.

“Such will be the way that God is known in all his glory, and this knowledge will fill the whole earth. Instead of being polluted with blood, the earth will be permeated with glory.” Prior p253